Option A: Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston for telling a group of elementary school kids that women should be seen but not heard:
“All my young boys, stand up. The ladies, sit down. But all my boys, stand up. We strong, right? We strong! We strong, right? … But the ladies, they’re supposed to be silent, polite, gentle.”
Option B: The principal of Melrose Elementary in St. Petersburg, Fla., who invited Winston to speak to the kids knowing that his background includes a shoplifting conviction, a suspension for screaming vulgarities, being detained by police for squirrel hunting on the Florida State University campus and being accused of rape in a winding investigation that resulted in FSU paying a $950,000 settlement to the alleged victim.
The principal should have never invited the creep. He has no clue how his words will affect young girls — and obviously does not care.
Just because an athlete plays for the NFL doesn’t mean he should be held up as a role model. Any time a celebrity is invited to speak, especially to a group of children, backgrounds should be checked to make sure there is alignment with the hosting organization’s brand and values. In this case I think the principal made a poor choice.
Really bad look for Winston, I wouldn’t be surprised if he has an entire PR firm working to minimize the damage his constant missteps cause.